by Julie Dahlke, Class of 1996 University of Minnesota College
of Veterinary Medicine

INTRODUCTION

This Guide was prepared as a part of my senior year Veterinary
Toxicology segment of the College curriculum. Veterinary toxicology
is simply the study of poisons in animals. As a senior veterinary
student working in a large teaching hospital, I have occasionally
been involved when clients of the hospital call with a concern
- usually urgent - about veterinary toxicology. Most often the
call comes from a worried owner concerned about some item they
believe their dog has eaten. Fortunately, the incidents have
usually not been as serious as they could have been. As a result
of these experiences with anxious pet owners, I decided to put
together this brief guide to some of the more common poisons
encountered by pets in an attempt to provide information on subjects
clients frequently are concerned about ( and others perhaps they
should be more concerned about!) The toxins were chosen based
on data collected from the American Association of Poison Control
Centers (AAPCC) that covered animal poisonings.1 This study ranked
the poisons in terms of numbers and percentages of calls to poison
control centers; only the most common concerns are intended to
be represented in the Guide. I have, however, added individual
poisons, based on my experiences and those of others at the University,
that are not necessarily included specifically in the data of
the AAPCC. My intention is not to provide an exhaustive guide
to small animal poisons as this would be a job better left to
a toxicologist, but simply to provide a useful, readable guide
to dog and cat owners which addresses some of their concerns
about common and serious toxins which pets can and do get into.
I have also included a short section on common misperceptions
about animal poisoning. Please note this brief guide in no way
purports to discuss human poisons and any interest or concern
on that subject should be directed towards your family physician
and the poison control center in your area. I want to express
my appreciation to Lynn Lawrence at the University of Minnesota
and to toxicologist Dr. Mike Murphy for their advice and written
materials which provided me with much of the source data for
this guide. I also want to state that any errors or omissions
in this pamphlet are my own.

It is difficult to give concise information about plant toxicities
as there are hundreds of plants that are potentially poisonous
to animals 2. However, actual reports of animals getting seriously
ill from eating plants are relatively infrequent compared to
reports of poisonings from household products or drugs. The plants
discussed below can be found in Minnesota and represent among
the most dangerous of poisonous plants. You may notice the conspicuous
lack of "holiday plants" among the list. While many
people seem to think poinsettias, ivy and mistletoe are dangerous
plants, and while these plants do have toxic potential, they
seldom cause serious clinical signs if eaten. It is worth noting
here that dogs and cats often vomit after chewing on plants;
this probably does not represent "poisoning" or any
dangerous exposure. Only severe or persistent vomiting is a danger
sign in small animals. Sporadic vomiting without accompanying
signs of illness (for instance, diarrhea, depression, loss of
appetite) is rarely a cause for worry, whether associated with
plant ingestion or not. The best advice, however, is to contact
your veterinarian if you have specific concerns.

JAPANESE YEW X Scientific Name: Taxus cuspidus Common
names: Yew, Spreading English Yew, Canada Yew Plant with similar
toxicity: Zygadenus nuttaiii, common name Deathcamas. The Yew
plant is an ornamental yard plant, most often used in landscaping
around the foundation of a house. It is an extremely poisonous
plant and the animal needs to eat one-tenth of one percent of
it's body weight to get a toxic dose. (For example, a 50 pound
dog would need only 0.05 pounds or less than 2 ounces of the
plant to get a potentially fatal dose!) The toxin in the Yew
is an alkaloid and works by depressing electrical activity in
the heart. Signs may include sudden death from heart failure.
If the animal shows clinical signs of toxicosis other than sudden
death those could include: trembling, incoordination, diarrhea,
and collapse. We rarely recognize clinical cases of Japanese
Yew poisoning in animals at the University, although that may
be partly because of the difficulty in proving the presence of
the toxin as well as the great toxicity. In cases where animals
are found dead it is very difficult to prove the Yew caused the
death unless the animal is necropsied (a veterinary term for
an autopsy) and evidence of ingestion - evidence that the animal
actually ate the plant - is found. There are no specific blood
or chemical tests to determine if Yew toxicity is present. While
Yew poisoning does not seem to be very common, the best advice
is to know what ornamental plants are present around your house
and other buildings and to make sure the Yew is not one of them!

ARACEAE FAMILY X Scientific name.- Many, including:
Schefflera actinophylla, Dieffenbachia maculata, Begonia tuberhybrida,
Philodendron Common names: Starleaf, Tuftroot, tuberous begonia,
wax begonia, water plant, yellow calla, peace lily, etc. This
family of house plants and ornamentals contains oxalates and
causes toxicity by the formation of calcium oxalate crystals
in the animals organs and by causing the release of chemicals
in the body which can cause an acute allergic reaction. Signs
may include excessive salivation, head shaking, pawing at the
mouth, difficult breathing, vomiting, and diarrhea. Fortunately,
the plant causes pain and irritation on chewing and therefore
animals rarely eat it in sufficient quantities to cause severe
damage. Much of the motivation for chewing on such a plant involves
boredom and other psychological factors (recent changes in the
household, etc.) so it may be worth noting if an animal begins
suddenly eating house plants they used to ignore and discussing
the subject in a phone call or visit to your veterinarian. If
your household plants include any of those in the Araceae family,
be aware of the potential for toxicity and preferably keep the
plants away from the pet or switch to safer house plants.

This group of common plants all contain cardiac glycosides.
Cardiac glycoside drugs derived from one of these plants, digitalis
(foxglove), have been used for many years in the treatment of
heart disease in people and animals. Due to their actions on
the heart, however, ingestion of plants containing glycosides
can be fatal. Signs may include vomiting, diarrhea, collapse,
or death from heart failure. Fortunately, the plant has a bitter
and very unpleasant taste! Nonetheless, the AAPCC report covering
425 fatal animal poisonings in 1990 includes 4 resulting from
cardiac glycoside-containing plants.

NIGHTSHADES/Solanums X Scientific name: Many, including:
Solanum dulcamara, Solanum nigrum, Physalis. Common names: Nightshades,
Chinese lantern, Christmas cherry, Ornamental pepper These primarily
ornamental plants can contain toxins called solanines that affect
either the stomach or the brain, depending on the type of poison
contained in the plant. It should be noted that some plants contain
no poison whatsoever and it is impossible to be certain whether
a given plant contains the poisonous substances. Clinical signs
of toxicity for the plants containing the stomach poison include
severe gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting, diarrhea (possibly
bloody), abdominal pain. If the toxin affecting the brain is
present in the plant eaten, signs may include drowsiness, salivation,
difficult breathing, trembling, weakness and collapse. The AAPCC
report indicated 2 of 425 fatal poisonings occurred as a result
of poisoning by solanines.

DRUGS

Animal poisoning by drugs is by far the most common type of
small animal poison exposure, accounting for 75% of 1990 toxin
exposures as reported by the AAPCC and 82 of 425 fatalities.
Dogs and, less frequently, cats, can be poisoned by human or
veterinary drugs as a result of accidental ingestion or overdose
just like children can; it is worth emphasizing that all medications
should be placed out of reach of inquisitive noses which are
too often attached to undiscriminating mouths! This section focuses
on those medications which are too frequently given by well-intentioned
owners for the purpose of relieving discomfort experienced by
the animal and which instead can cause a much more serious problem
for the pet. Human over-the-counter pain relievers are occasionally
used in veterinary medicine for pain relief but they should only
be given upon specific advice and direction of a veterinarian.
Pain relievers, or analgesics, are not designed for use by cats
and dogs and a minimal human dose can poison a pet. Cats and
dogs do not utilize and tolerate drugs in the same way people
do and human drugs should NEVER be assumed to be safe for animals.

ACETAMINOPHEN (Tylenol) XXX
Rx Tylenol is, of course, the human over-the-counter analgesic
medicine used to relieve pain. In people, after the pills are
taken, the ingredients are broken down in the body by enzymes
in the liver. In people, Tylenol is generally a safe and useful
painkiller. Cats, however, have less of the enzyme required to
detoxify the drug following ingestion. As a result, there are
many dangerous metabolites, or breakdown products of acetaminophen
that bind to red blood cells and other tissue cells, resulting
in the destruction of these cells. There may also be direct damage
to tissue cells from the painkiller. As little as one regular
strength tablet (325 mg) can poison a cat to the degree that
it can develop noticeable clinical signs of illness. Two extra
strength tablets are likely to kill a cat. Dogs (particularly
small dogs) are also susceptible to significant tissue damage
from as little as two regular strength Tylenol and repeated doses
increase the risk significantly. Signs develop quickly and can
include salivation, vomiting, weakness and abdominal pain. Rx
Due to the significant toxicity to pets in relatively minimal
dosages, the recommendation is clear - Tylenol should not be
given to dogs or cats. Other, safer, drugs are available for
pain relief; talk to your veterinarian about your own pet's specific
needs.

Aspirin. lbuprofen. Phenvlbutazone, Naproxen (NSAID toxicity) X
Rx The pain relievers discussed here are known as NSAID's (non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs) and are widely prescribed with caution
by veterinarians to relieve pain from arthritis and other conditions.
Animal dosages, however, are much lower than human dosages. Use
of NSAID's can significantly increase the risk for development
of stomach or intestinal ulcers, particularly in a sick patient,
or one receiving other medications. These pain relievers cause
signs of poisoning by decreasing the mucous production in the
stomach. Mucous serves to protect the stomach from the acids
it secretes and reduction in mucous production decreases the
protection the stomach has from acid secretion and increases
the likelihood of ulcer formation. In addition these drugs indirectly
decrease the blood flow to vital organs, particularly the kidney,
and can result in significant kidney damage. Two regular strength
aspirin in a small dog can cause clinical signs of poisoning.
As with Tylenol, cats are more sensitive to these drugs and should
never be given these medications unless under the specific direction
of a veterinarian. Rx Again, these drugs can be safely used and,
in fact, are employed in veterinary practice every day in appropriate
doses and after careful medical evaluation of the patient. The
important point is to recognize that dogs and cats do not respond
in the same way to human medications that people do. Any medications
need to be discussed with and prescribed by a veterinarian prior
to giving them to your pet to avoid an inadvertent and tragic
poisoning.

MISCELLANEOUS

GARBAGE/FOOD POISONING X
This is primarily a problem of dogs and cats that roam freely
around the farm or neighborhood with easy access to "road
kill," garbage cans, etc. However, any animal that eats
decaying, rotten carcasses or other food material (i.e., left-over
hamburger) that has been contaminated by bacteria and bacteria-produced
toxins is susceptible to this poisoning. The toxicity of the
rotten food lies largely in toxins produced by bacteria in the
food material which are then delivered in the meal to the dog
or cat and cause severe gastrointestinal upset. Clinical signs
can include vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever,
abdominal pain, and weakness. Severely affected animals can go
into shock and even die as a result of the absorbed bacterial
toxins. For those animals who are not restricted in their activity
it is impossible to prevent possible garbage poisoning (as well
as the all too common "hit-by-car" injuries which are
a much more common and deadly risk for free-roaming animals).
However, if your animal has "escaped" and you suspect
he or she has gotten into something very unappetizing (frequently
the odor of the meal is obvious even before the pet throws it
up!) be aware that this type of poisoning can be quite serious
and follow up with your veterinarian if you see any signs of
illness (repeated vomiting, lethargy, depression).

TEFLON X
Teflon toxicity occurs most often in pet birds and in the 1990
AAPCC report on small animal poisoning, resulted in 5 of 425
fatalities. The problem arises when pots or pans containing either
Teflon or Silverstone are left on a hot stove until heated to
>280&Mac176; Celsius (generally when a pan is forgotten
on a hot stove for some time until it is "white hot").
The result is the release of toxic particles into the air that
cause severe damage to the pet's lungs when inhaled. As birds
don't "exhale" as part of their normal respiratory
make up, they are unable to clear the toxic particles by exhaling,
coughing, etc. and are therefore more susceptible to this type
of poisoning. Although hard to avoid as it results from an accident,
it might be a good idea to house pet birds a distance from the
kitchen (especially if you tend to be an absent-minded cook!)

CHOCOLATE (Drug class.- Methylxanthines) X
It often surprises pet owners to discover that for animals, chocolate
is poisonous in sufficient dosages. Specifically it is the drugs
in chocolate, theobromine and caffeine (of the drug class methylxanthines),
that are toxic to pets. Only a moderate amount needs to be eaten
by an animal, typically a dog, in order to be poisonous (approx.
1/2 oz. of baking chocolate per pound of body weight and less
in some animals). With the poison in this case being so appealing,
overdose is not a rare occurrence. Poisonings of this type typically
occur during the holiday seasons of Easter, Christmas and Halloween.
Depending on their appetite and the specific ingredients contained
in the recipe, some dogs have ingested a toxic dose of chocolate
by eating an entire pan of brownies or another chocolate dessert,
particularly one containing baking chocolate. Fortunately, the
animal frequently vomits soon after which reduces the amount
of poison in the stomach available to act on the body and decreases
the toxicity somewhat. If clinical signs are seen, these can
include vomiting, excessive urination, hyperactivity, fast breathing,
weakness and seizures. While rare, death can occur, usually due
to the adverse action of methylxanthines on the heart. Many people
unknowingly feed their dogs chocolate treats (candy bars, cookies,
etc.) without obvious illness resulting; the lack of clinical
signs is due only to the relatively low dose of methyixanthines
in small amounts of milk chocolate. It is certainly better for
your pet to stick to treats he or she will like just as much
(freezedried liver pieces come to mind - yummy!) and avoid chocolate-containing
treats where the dog is concerned. Also be aware that an accidental
overdose of cake, bars!; etc. containing chocolate can pose a
significant risk to a dog. If this should happen to your pet,
make note of the amount of chocolate used in the recipe, the
approximate amount eaten by your pet and give your veterinarian
a call to determine if the dose was sufficient to cause any problems.

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

The category of "household products" probably contains
most of the non-drug substances that poison animals throughout
the country each year. This would include insecticides designed
to kill ants, fleas, termites, wasps, etc., pesticides against
rats, mice, gophers and other unwanted pests, herbicides to kill
weeds in our yards and gardens, cleaners for our homes and businesses,
and ethylene glycol and fuel and other petroleum products used
in cars, heaters, and even lighters. These are products which
are both widespread in use and frequently highly toxic. The combination
of being common and deadly frequently results in a very dangerous
situation for household pets who share our homes, cabins, yards
and cars. For ease of reading and organizational purposes, I
have split this category into five narrower groupings. Remember,
however, it is the toxic active ingredient in the substance the
pet is exposed to which will determine how much danger is present.
Therefore, it is critical in any case of potential poisoning
to find the container of the toxic substance and know the ingredients
when seeking advice or veterinary services. All rat poisons are
not alike and the same is true of ant poisons, herbicides, flea
products, etc. Different poisons may require very different treatments
and it is necessary to know the active ingredient in a potential
poison to know how to treat an exposed animal and to give a reasonably
accurate prognosis. Ideally, the veterinarian should have the
intact container with the label when evaluating the toxic potential
of the product.

ANT POISONS/MISCELLANEOUS INSECTICIDES XX
There are dozens of insecticides available in hardware and home
repair stores designed to kill ants, termites, wasps, garden
pests and many other nuisance insects. Unfortunately, these products
present a risk to our household pets when a dog or cat is accidentally
exposed to the poison, usually by eating the bait or poison.
Although there are a host of different active ingredients found
in these preparations, many of them can be grouped into two categories:
Organophosphates and carbamates. Both organophosphates (known
as OP's) and carbamates have similar toxic effects which involve
disruption of the normal nervous system function by causing an
excess of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, to accumulate
in the body. Although acetylcholine is a necessary body chemical
for normal nervous and muscular function, this excess or overdose,
causes severe clinical signs that can result in the death of
the animal. If an animal is exposed by eating a poison containing
OP's or carbamates (or, less frequently, absorbing the substance
through the skin in a dip product) it can experience a number
of clinical signs. These include excess saliva production, lacrimation
or tearing of the eyes, excessive urination, diarrhea, muscle
twitching, weakness, difficult breathing and collapse. It is
critical that an animal potentially exposed to these insecticides
be evaluated by veterinary personnel as quickly as possible in
order to provide treatment if necessary before signs become severe,
at which point treatment is often ineffective. There are many
other types of insecticides besides OP's and carbamates, including-
Chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds, pyrethrins, arsenic and others
which have different poisonous properties and which may require
different treatments for accidental exposure. As mentioned earlier,
in the case of an accident, it is important to get the container
with the label including the insecticide's active ingredient(s)
and bring that information to the attention of the veterinary
staff. They can then determine the type of toxicity and any possible
treatments as quickly as possible, preferably before the pet
is very sick. Many of these products are extremely toxic and
any delay in evaluation of the cat or dog can be life-threatening.

ANTIFREEZE XXX
Poisoning by antifreeze, or ethylene glycol, is one of the most
common small animal toxicities, particularly up here in the cold
north. Every year do-it-yourself motorists get out the gear needed
to winterize their vehicles, including antifreeze. Unfortunately,
this poison has a sweet taste and spilled or leaked antifreeze
is lapped up by many dogs and cats in quantities sufficient to
cause severe sickness and even death. It takes only about 1/2
teaspoon per pound for a dog to get a toxic dose of ethylene
glycol, the active ingredient in antifreeze, and less for a cat.
Although the poison affects both the animal's neurological and
kidney function, the most severe damage usually involves the
kidneys. Clinical signs in affected animals include depression,
incoordination, vomiting, and seizures. The best way to combat
antifreeze poisoning is by preventing the animal from having
the opportunity to drink the poison. Keep all containers tightly
closed when not in use and clean up spills immediately. It should
be noted that this toxin affects people as well as pets and that
small children are also at risk for ethylene glycol poisoning.
There is currently a new product on the market (one trade name
is "Sierra"ô ) which claims to be safer than
other brands of antifreeze. This product contains propylene glycol
as its active ingredient. If ingested, it can still cause the
nervous system injury resulting in incoordination and possibly
seizures but does not cause the more frequently fatal kidney
damage. It is clear using such a product would pose less of a
health hazard. The best advice remains, however, to always use
any potentially toxic product carefully to prevent accidental
poisoning in the first place.

CLEANING PRODUCTS XXX
Again, this category contains dozens of products used around
the home, including toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, detergents,
caustics (e.g., Drano, Ajax), pine oils and others. Although
intended to keep our lives safe and healthy by maintaining a
clean environment, these products are often highly poisonous
to living tissue if a dog or cat eats or becomes otherwise exposed
to the chemicals in the cleaner. These cleaners can destroy tissue
on contact by acid or alkaline burns, by dissolving through tissue
membranes, by absorbing through to the animal's bloodstream and
causing generalized illness and a variety of other mechanisms.
Pine oils and electric dishwashing detergents particularly tend
to be quite toxic although the range of chemicals included in
cleaning products can cause signs widely varying from mild local
irritation (many detergent soaps) to deep penetrating tissue
damage (alkaline products) to severe systemic disease (pine oils
and others). Once again the best remedy is prevention. Keep all
cleaners tightly closed when not in use to prevent accidental
spills and ingestion. Also, be sure to keep pets out of newly
cleaned areas to avoid paw injuries from walking in the newly
applied cleaning solution and mouth burns from the animal then
grooming itself. Also be aware of the possible dangers of toilet
bowl cleaners from dogs and cats who consider the toilet just
another water bowl! In case of accidental exposure to cleaning
products, it is generally recommended to flush the skin (or mouth)
with plain water to wash away remaining chemicals, then call
in to your veterinary clinic for further instructions. In the
AAPCC 1990 report, 5.9% (2,217 animals) of all non-drug poison
exposures were inquiries following exposure to cleaning products,
with 80 of those animals being moderately to severely affected.

FLEA PRODUCTS X
Millions of dollars are spent every year on products designed
to rid our non-human companions (and our homes!) of these unwanted
pests. Although rarely dangerous, fleas are highly irritating
to dogs and cats and can sometimes result in severe flea bite
allergies for those animals who develop a sensitivity to chemicals
in the flea's saliva. Most of the products on the market to combat
these insects (the most common of which is Ctenocephalides canis,
the dog flea) are safe when used as directed. Unfortunately,
some dog flea preparations can be toxic to cats and almost all
topical flea preparations (dips, sprays, etc.) can be poisonous
if not used in accordance with label instructions. If label instructions
are for once weekly use, and the product is used daily or more
often, poisoning can result. If premise sprays, specifically
not for use directly on pets, are used on or near pets, poisoning
is likely to result. The message is clear -- use brand names
you are familiar with (ask your vet for recommendations if you're
not familiar with any specific products), use according to label
instructions, and STOP use if your animal shows any signs of
poisoning (excessive salivation, depression, vomiting) and contact
your veterinary clinic. The majority of flea products designed
for use on the animal are classified as pyrethrins or pyrethroids.
Pyrethrins are obtained from the flowers of the Chrysanthemum
plant while pyrethroids are a synthetic, or artificial, version
of pyrethrins. Generally pyrethroids are less toxic than pyrethrins,
although, when used appropriately, pyrethrins can be used safely
and effectively. Within the grouping of pyrethrins and pyrethroids,
there is a further classification into Type I or Type 11 pyrethrins/pyrethroids
based on the actions of the chemicals in the compounds and the
animals typical clinical signs in the case of poisoning. Type
11 pyrethrins/pyrethroids are usually considered more toxic than
Type 1. For animals showing clinical signs of poisoning by these
products, these could include: Excessive salivation, muscle twitching,
depression, tremors, difficult breathing, vomiting and diarrhea.
Every year hundreds of animals are poisoned by these products,
some fatally, by accidental misuse resulting from misreading,
or failing to read, the label instructions. Do not use products
intended for dogs on cats as these may contain compounds relatively
safe for dogs but poisonous to cats. Do not use premise sprays
intended for the house and/or yard on or near pets and always
carefully read instructions prior to use. Call your veterinary
clinic with any questions or if your animal shows any clinical
signs during or following flea treatment.

HEAVY METALS (Lead, Zinc) X
Lead poisoning is seen occasionally in small animals, notably
in birds, frequently as a result of ingestion of a foreign object
containing lead, for instance, a toy, drapery weight, fishing
weight, lead shot or battery. However, it can also be seen with
ingestion of lead-containing paint, caulking, motor oil and other
lead sources. Clinical signs for animal suffering lead poisoning
usually include a combination of signs involving the gastrointestinal
system (vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, painful abdomen)
and the neurological system (depression, blindness, circling,
muscle tremors, incoordination). Onset of signs is usually relatively
quick but signs can progress more slowly if the animal is slowly
being exposed to the poison, i.e., repeated ingestion of lead
based paint. Zinc poisoning occurs most frequently when dogs
ingest zinc in the form of pennies. The metal interacts with
components of the animal's red blood cells and can cause, weakness,
trembling, loss of appetite. Although not seen frequently, it
is interesting to note how such a mundane object can be toxic
when ingested.

RODENTICIDES XXX
Poisons intended to kill rats, mice, gophers, moles and other
mammalian pests are among the most common and deadly of small
animal toxins. Since rodent and other pests and our companion
animal dogs and cats are all mammals, it follows that substances
highly poisonous to the pests would be just as lethal to our
pets, and indeed that is the case. In the 1990 AAPCC report,
8% of all nondrug toxin exposures resulted from rodenticides
and of 425 fatalities, 60 (14%) of deaths were subsequent to
these poisons. Commonly, owners have all but forgotten the old
rat poison in the garage cabinet until it gets knocked onto the
ground and the dog has eaten it. Or on farms or stables, rat
poison is left in what seems like a safe place to attract only
the rats and then the empty chewed container is seen outside
the doghouse. It cannot be too highly stressed that rodenticides
are highly toxic and any such poisons designed to kill small
mammals need to be carefully contained in closed metal cabinets
or high on stable shelving. The poisons usually come in flimsy
cardboard containers and any dog, puppy or cat can chew through
the container to get at the bait. Unfortunately, every year far
too many do just that. Rodenticides are classified according
to both their basic ingredient compounds and by how they act
on their target. These categories include: Anticoagulant rodenticides,
cholecalciferol, strychnine, zinc phosphide, bromethalin, compound
1080 and more. The most common rodenticide poisoning seen in
veterinary practice is that of the anti-coagulant rodenticides.
These poisons - with ingredient names like warfarin, fumarin,
diphacinone, bromadiolone - act by interfering with the animal's
ability to utilize Vitamin K. One of the key roles of Vitamin
K is in the production of coagulation factors in the body which
cause blood to clot when necessary. Although we are not aware
of it, normal physiological processes require blood to clot many
times a day in our bodies and that of our pets. Without the necessary
coagulation factors, normal minor bleeding in the body goes unchecked
which, without treatment, becomes major bleeding, with blood
loss anemia, hemorrhage and death resulting. With most anti-coagulant
rodenticides, signs are not seen until 3-5 days after the pet
has ingested the poison. Clinical signs include weakness, difficult
breathing, pale mucous membranes, and bleeding from the nose.
Other types of rodenticides have different mechanisms of action
with some (i.e., strychnine and bromethalin) causing neurological
signs such as incoordination, seizures and other cardiac failure
(i.e., cholecalciferol). If accidental ingestion of rat poison
is suspected, contact your veterinary clinic immediately, even
if your dog or cat is showing no obvious signs of being ill.
Be sure, if possible, to bring the poison container in to the
clinic in order to determine the specific toxin and provide the
best treatment. Early recognition is critical as some poisons,
particularly the anti-coagulant rodenticides, can be successfully
treated if the poisoning is caught early and treated appropriately.

SUMMARY

I hope you have found this guide interesting and useful. The
underlying message in any discussion of poisons is to avoid poisoning
wherever possible by careful packaging, storing and appropriate
use of potentially toxic items. A second important concept is
to recognize potential poisoning as soon as possible, ascertain
what it was the animal was exposed to and get help. Whereas poisoning
is not the most common of problems that most pet owners face
with their companion animals (thankfully!), if such a situation
should arise it is worth having considered the possibility beforehand.
Having some guidelines on how to proceed can provide the pet
the best chance to be treated and recover from the crisis. Even
more importantly, it is worth having considered the risks and
eliminated them before those risks become reality.

References:
1 1990 Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers:
Poisonings in Animals. Carl Hornfeldt, MS and Michael Murphy,
DVM, PhD. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Volume 22, No. 8, 4/15/92.
2 For more information on poisonous plants, read, Poisonous Plants
of the United States and Canada. John M. Kingsbury, Prentice-Hall
or any of a variety of books on regional plants at your local
book store.